N.S. news: Goalie makes history in hockey league [Video]

Rhyah Stewart is used to hitting major milestones and the New Brunswick athlete recently reached another one by being the first female goalie to start in a Maritime Junior Hockey League game in decades.

“Before the start, I was pretty excited to get my first junior game underway,” Stewart said. “I got to feel a little bit more comfortable getting shot and just ended with a great result.”

Stewart posted a 39-save shutout, helping her team, the West Kent Steamers, pick up the win.

Among her accomplishments, Stewart has played in a pre-season Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League game and has competed nationally at Under-18s.

“I saw her play last year at the U-18 level and I said she was good enough to play here,” said head coach Olivier Filion. “It’s not often you see an 18-year-old coming in this league and getting a shutout right away the first game.

“She’s the real deal so that’s why we signed her.”

Stewart is committed to play …